Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting included recognition of an employee and teacher of the month, an economic development update, and discussions on various city projects and ordinances. Key debates centered around the regulation of transportation network companies (TNCs) versus traditional taxi services, with council members expressing differing views on the level of regulation and responsibility for inspections and background checks. Several amendments to the TNC ordinance were proposed and voted on, with some passing and others failing.
Key Decisions & Votes
Employee of the Month Recognition
00:04:00Renita Crump, a 38-year veteran of the Public Works Department, was recognized as the September 2014 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month for her dedication and professionalism.
Teacher of the Month Recognition
00:07:00Dr. Carol Fletcher Knight, a social studies teacher at Northeast Academy, was recognized as the September 2014 Teacher of the Month by Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.
Expo Building Contract Award
00:20:00The contract for the Expo building at the fairgrounds was awarded to the lowest bidder, coming in 12% below the estimate, allowing for the inclusion of four additional alternates.
West I-44 Trail Alignment
00:37:00A preliminary report on the West I-44 Trail alignment was presented, detailing the 8.15-mile trail connecting Lake Hefner to the Oklahoma River, with an estimated construction cost of $9.7 million.
South Council Road Resurfacing Project
00:46:00An update was provided on the South Council Road resurfacing project, which will occur in two phases from State Highway 152 to Interstate 40.
Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit: Alzheimer's Association Walk
01:31:00A permit was approved for the Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma chapter to hold their 'Walk to End Alzheimer's' on September 27th.
Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit: Wiggle Out Loud
01:32:00A permit was approved for the 'Wiggle Out Loud' active family music festival on September 14th.
Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit: Tap N Run
01:32:00A permit was approved for the 'Tap N Run' event on September 27th.
Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit: Down Syndrome Festival
01:33:00A permit was approved for the Down Syndrome Festival and 5K on September 20th at the Bricktown ballpark.
Revocable Permit: Canoe Marathon World Championship
01:34:00A permit was approved for the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation to host the Canoe Marathon World Championship from September 24th to 28th.
Revocable Permit: Oklahoma Regatta Festival
01:35:00A permit was approved for the Oklahoma Regatta Festival from October 2nd to 5th.
Ordinance Amendment: TNC Driver Physical Requirements
01:07:00An amendment to remove physical requirements for drivers across all three articles (taxis, limos, carriages, and TNCs) was passed and will be sent back to the traffic commission.
Ordinance Amendment: TNC Background Check Requirements
01:08:00An amendment specifying a higher level of OSBI background check, including sex offender and violent offender registries, for all drivers across all three articles was passed.
Ordinance Amendment: Taxi Rate Deregulation
01:17:00An amendment to remove the Traffic Commission's role in approving taxi rates, making it a posting requirement with a 30-day advance notice, was passed.
Ordinance Amendment: TNC Company Responsibility (Minneapolis Model)
01:29:00An amendment to shift primary responsibility for driver permitting, inspections, and physical exams to TNC companies, with the added requirement that TNCs share a list of their drivers with the city, was passed.
Ordinance Introduction: Martin Park Nature Center Regulations
01:30:00An ordinance was introduced to prohibit pets (with service animal exceptions) and the release of animals in Martin Park Nature Center due to nuisance issues and wildlife disturbance.
Ordinance Introduction: Public Nuisance Enhancement
01:28:00An ordinance was introduced to enhance the public nuisance ordinance to include disturbances in open lots (e.g., parking lots of bars, clubs, apartment complexes) and illegal speed contests, allowing for vehicle impoundment.
Ordinance Introduction: Animal Welfare Transfer
01:27:00An ordinance was introduced to allow the transfer of nursing mothers with litters of kittens and puppies directly to foster care, similar to an existing ordinance for litters only.
Upcoming Community Events
Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma chapter walk
Largest event in Oklahoma to fight Alzheimer's disease, raising approximately $350,000 for local support and research.
Wiggle Out Loud
Active Family Music Festival encouraging arts, music, wellness, and healthier food options.
Tap N Run
Down Syndrome Festival and 5K
Largest fundraising and awareness event for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma, held at the Bricktown ballpark.
Canoe Marathon World Championship
First canoe World Marathon held in the US, featuring athletes from over 20 countries, Opening Ceremonies, PaddleFest, Master's racing, World Championships, and PanAm championships.
Oklahoma Regatta Festival
Annual festival including a blue party night, racing, Dragon Boat Racing, Head of the Oklahoma, food trucks, beer garden, and exhibitors.
Financial Matters
Expo Building Construction
The accepted bid for the Expo building construction was $36.9 million, which was 12% below the original estimate of $41 million.
West I-44 Trail Alignment
Total budget for the project, including $9.7 million for construction costs.
Anonymous Donation to Animal Welfare
An anonymous cash donation was received by the Animal Welfare division, highlighting the option for charitable giving to city divisions.
Sales Tax Collections (August)
Sales tax collections for August were strong, coming in at 4%, matching projections.
Public Comments
Public comments primarily focused on the proposed TNC ordinance, with representatives from traditional taxi and limousine services advocating for a level playing field and stricter regulations for TNCs, while also expressing concerns about the practicalities of enforcement and potential negative impacts on underserved communities. One citizen also raised concerns about the rental of public facilities to a satanic group.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item R1 (acceptance of dedications at a subdivision) was continued for two weeks for further inspection of road conditions.
- Item A3 (an appointment) was deferred.
Deadlines
- TNC ordinance amendments to be reviewed by the Traffic Commission next Monday, with final adoption expected on October 7th.
Watch For
- Further discussion and potential action on the TNC ordinance after review by the Traffic Commission.
- Publicity efforts for the city's trail system, including the new West I-44 Trail.
Announcements
- Annual business retention and expansion report to be released in late September, showing 44% of companies increased employment and 37% anticipate capital investment or job creation.
- Nine companies assisted this year to bring over 2,600 new jobs with an average salary of nearly $54,000.
- Retail activity remains high, with 132 brokers, retailers, or developers worked with, and 11 site visits hosted.
- Tinker Air Force Base expansion project through BNSF Rail Yard acquisition will create over 1,300 new jobs and over half a billion dollars in capital investment.
- Annual intercity visit to Salt Lake City provided insights into Major League Soccer stadiums, Expo Centers, social impact bonds for early childhood education, and transit systems.
- Benchmarking against other cities for best practices in talent recruitment, workforce development, infrastructure, and state incentives.
- Friday Forum on downtown housing on September 12th.
- Annual Metro 50 Awards on September 22nd, recognizing fastest-growing companies.
Agenda Summary
Benediction and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with a prayer by Pastor David Oxley and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Pat Ryan.
Employee and Teacher of the Month Recognition
Recognition of Renita Crump as Employee of the Month and Dr. Carol Fletcher Knight as Teacher of the Month.
Economic Development Update
Presentation by Roy Williams, President of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, on economic development activities, job growth, and city benchmarking efforts.
Appointments (D & E)
Motions for approval of appointments.
Uncontested Contingencies
Several items were stricken from the uncontested contingencies list due to re-notification needs or owner actions.
MFA (Municipal Facilities Authority) Items
Discussion and vote on MFA items.
OCPA (Oklahoma City Public Property Authority) Items
Discussion and vote on OCPA items, including an update on the Lincoln Park clubhouse completion date.
OCEAT (Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust) Items
Discussion and vote on OCEAT items.
Consent Docket
General approval of items on the consent docket, with some individual considerations.
Individual Consideration: R1 (Subdivision Dedications)
Discussion on the acceptance of dedications at a subdivision, with concerns raised about road quality.
Individual Consideration: Fire Station Location
Question regarding the decision on the location of a new fire station at 149th and Douglas.
Individual Consideration: I-240 and I-35 Exchange Reconstruction
Discussion on a resolution approving right-of-way and other matters with ODOT concerning the reconstruction project, addressing community concerns.
Individual Consideration: Anonymous Donation
Acknowledgement of a $20,000 anonymous cash donation to the Animal Welfare division.
Concurrent Docket
Approval of items on the concurrent docket.
8A1: Appointment
Motion for approval of an appointment.
8A2: PUD for Rural Area
Approval of a PUD for a rural area with RA type zoning, minimum lot size of 30,000 sq ft, and preservation of natural amenities.
8A3: Appointment
An appointment item.
8B: Utility Easement
Motion for approval of a utility easement.
8C: Public Hearing on Stockyards BID District Assessment Role
Public hearing on an assessment role for the Stockyards BID district.
8D: Ordinance Adopting Stockyards BID Assessment Role
Ordinance adopting and ratifying the assessment role for the Stockyards BID district.
8E: Final Hearing on Water Rates
Final hearing on water rates, previously discussed at council.
8F: Water Department Item (Discontinuation/Termination Fees)
Companion item from the water department regarding discontinuation of service and termination fees.
8G: TNC Ordinance Amendments
Discussion and votes on multiple individual amendments to the Transportation Network Company (TNC) ordinance.
8H: TNC Ordinance (Tulsa Approach)
A proposed ordinance based on the Tulsa approach for TNC regulation.
8I: Final Hearing on Right-of-Way Dedications
Final hearing on six right-of-way dedications.
8J: Public Hearing on Name Change (Total Care to Mare)
Public hearing on changing the name from Total Care to Mare.
8K: Public Hearing on Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center Fees
Public hearing on fees related to the Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center.
8L: Public Hearing on Close to Home Fishing Locations
Public hearing on modifications to the close to home fishing locations.
8M: Ordinance Introduction (Animal Welfare Transfer)
Introduction of an ordinance allowing the transfer of nursing mother animals with litters to foster care.
8N: Ordinance Introduction (Public Nuisance Enhancement)
Introduction of an ordinance to enhance the public nuisance ordinance to include disturbances in open lots and illegal speed contests.
8O: Ordinance Introduction (Martin Nature Park Regulations)
Introduction of a new ordinance regarding Martin Nature Park, prohibiting pets and animal release.
8P: Public Hearing on Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
8Q: Public Hearing on Unsecured Structures
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures.
8R: Public Hearing (Fire Station 206 Funding)
Public hearing on a resolution for supplemental funding for the construction of Fire Station 206.
8S: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permits
Approval of multiple revocable right-of-way use permits for various events.
8T: Revocable Permits
Approval of revocable permits for the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation and the Oklahoma Regatta Festival.
8U: Joint Resolution with Oklahoma City EDT
Administrative item for authorization to transfer funds to the economic development trust.
8V: Resolution Authorizing Representation
Resolution authorizing representation.
8W: Executive Session
Executive session was not needed.
9A: Claims Recommended for Approval
Approval of claims recommended for approval.
Claims Recommended for Denial
No claims were recommended for denial.
Items from Council
Discussion on moving revocable right-of-way permits earlier in the agenda.
City Manager Reports
Report on sales tax collections for August.
Claims and Payroll
General claims and payroll.
Citizens to be Heard
Two citizens addressed the council on various concerns.